Method for moving massive loads

ABSTRACT

A method for lifting and moving massive loads using groundsupported-clinching chassis means equipped with pressurized air to perform the lifting and lowering operations at the opposite ends of the moving operation and to cushion the load and protect the same against harmful torsional strains. The apparatus chassis utilizes separate chassis sections hingedly connected together crosswise of the path of travel and provided with jaws for gripping the load from its opposite sides and activated by the inflation of the chassis air spring. The load clinching vehicle can be used to move various loads including massive reinforced concrete girders or the like either alone or while used to support lading, as a building, machinery, etc. Similar chassis units are located at either end of each girder to be moved and equipped with steerable fifth wheel dolly units.

United States Patent 1 Harbers 1 Oct. 23, 1973 abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 214/152, 214/390, 214/512, 280/124 [51] Int. Cl. 860p 3/40-[58] Field of Search... I I 214/512, 515, 390, 214/506; 280/404, 124 F,43.23

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,520,430 7/1970 Dunbar214/390 3,035,851 5/1962 Stengelin.... 280/124 F X 3,425,576 2/1969Martin.... 214/515 2,957,593 10/1960 Evans 214/506 3,633,775 1/1972Pugliese 214/506 3,253,840 5/1966 Granning 280/124 F X FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 223,611 11/1968 U. S.S.R 280/404 .PrimaryExaminer.Albert J. Makay Atto'mey-R. .Welton Whann and Robert M.-

McManigal 1571' ABSTRACT A method for lifting and moving massive loadsusing ground-supported-clinching chassis means equipped with pressurizedair to perform the lifting and lowering operations at the opposite endsof the moving operation and to cushion the load and protect the sameagainst harmful torsional strains. The apparatus chassis utilizesseparate chassis sections hingedly con nected together crosswise of thepath of travel and provided with jaws for gripping the load from itsopposite sides and activated by the inflation of the chassis air spring.The load clinching vehicle'can be used to move various loads includingmassive reinforced concrete girders or the like either alone or whileused to support lading, as a building, machinery, etc. Similar chassisunits are located at either end of each girder to be moved and equippedwith steerable fifth wheel dolly units.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAlENIEllumeams 376K071 SHEET 2 [IF 2INVENTOR H/VEV 6- #4165665 METHOD FOR MOVING MASSIVE LOADS Thisapplication is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 4,928,filed Jan. 22, 1970, now abandoned, entitled Method and Apparatus forMoving Massive Loads.

The movement of very heavy loads over uneven ground surfaces withoutimparting serious strains to the load presents serious problems notsatisfactorily resolved by transporting equipment heretofore available.F or example, let it be assumed that it is desired to move a frame orother type of building or a girder such as a precast reinforced concretegirder from one location to another over the ground. Loads of this typemust be loaded onto the moving vehicle while the load is supported at aminimum height above a foundation or other support. Heretofore heavyraising and lowering equipment and auxiliaries have been necessary totransfer the load onto the transport vehicles as well as to remove itfrom such vehicles after reaching a destination. Furthermore, seriousproblems have been presented in protecting the load against shock, highpressure points, and miscellaneous strain and torsion forces duringtransit. 7

By the techniques and expedients exemplified in the present invention itis feasible to move very large loads over relatively rough terrain inremote and isolated regions not accessible to modern-day heavy equipmentexcept by costly aerial transport. The invention equip ment makes itpossible and feasible to construct massive assemblies such as precastgirders and other structural units at a convenient assembly point andthen transport them to an installation site using simple, lightweight,highly effective transport equipment readily flown into the area.

The invention transport equipment typically comprises a pair ofspecially constructed load clinching vehicles designed for endwisemovement beneath the opposite ends of the load while the vehicle frameis lowered by deflating its air bellows suspension units. Once thevehicles are in place the'air bellows are inflated, as from an airsupply carried on the vehicles, thereby elevating the vehicle framesupwardly against the underside of the load while simultaneouslyactivating jaws effective to clench the load therebetween. The speciallyconstructed transport vehicles are made in two halves hinged togetherlongitudinally of the vehicle with the sections disposed to either sideof the load cooperating to grip the load therebetween. The vehiclechassis is supported on pneumatic tires and the pressurized air bellowsemployed to activate the clinching jaws are located between these jawsand the supporting wheels and are pressurized sufficiently to provide adesired degree of soft resilient support for the particular load thenbeing carried. In consequence, uneven ground, jars, jolts and torsionalforces likely to be encountered during transit are effectively cushionedand isolated from the load proper. If a building, heavy machinery or thelike is to be moved, suitable rigid girders are installed beneath theload on supports having sufficient ground clearance to permit the bottomportion of the U-shaped frame forming part of the transport vehiclechassis to be moved into position beneath the girder ends. Thereafterthe deflated air bellows are inflated to elevate the girders and theload thereon while closing the clamping jaws against the girder walls.The steerable wheels of the transport vehicle are then connected to thehauling tractors and moved to a new site.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a novelmethod and transport vehicle for use in moving massive loads from onelocation to another while supporting the load proper on multiple aircushions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel method ofmoving a heavy load using a load clinching vehicle formed in twosections movably connected together so as to grip a load from itsopposite lateral sides.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of moving aheavy load using separate chassis sections equipped with inflatable airsprings and hingedly connected together between their opposite sideswith the portions on either side straddling the underside of the loadand movable toward one another to grip the load as its weight is assumedby the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a unique method ofmoving a heavy load sensitive to torsional strains using a pair oftransport vehicles each comprising a pair of halves hinged togetherlengthwise of their lower portions so as to straddle a load from itsunderside and equipped with vertically extendable air cushions operableas they are pressurized to pivot toward one another to lift the loadfrom its support without harmful torsional strains.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading thefollowing specification and claims and upon considering in connectiontherewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing one illustrative mode of usingthe invention transport vehicle to move a heavy load supported on anunderlying girder;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of one of theinvention transport vehicles;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken alongline 15-3 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the vehicle aircushions in expanded condition to support the load firmly clenchedbetween the jaws thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view taken along line 5-5 on FIG. 2 andshowing primarily only one section of the vehicle chassis.

Referring initially and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there isshown an illustrative embodiment'of a pair of the invention loadclinching vehicles, designated generally 10, supporting the oppositeends of a rigid girder 11 and underlying a heavy object 12 ready formovement to a new location. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a separate tractoror truck such as the pulling truck 13 and the pushing truck 14 eachsuitably coupled to the steering draft tongue 15 of vehicle 10.

As best appears from FIGS. 3 and 4, vehicle 10 comprises a pair ofsimilar chassis sections 18,18 which differ from one another only inthat one is designed for use on the right hand side and the other on theleft hand side of the path of travel. Since otherwise the two chassissections are identical only one section need be described in detail.Each chassis section includes a rigid main frame 19 suitably constructedfrom structural steel members welded together. The rear end of mainframe 19 is supported by a pneumatically tired wheel 20 joumalled to anaxle 21 and having its opposite ends rigidly secured by clamping means22 to a spring beam 23. The forward end of this spring beam servesadditionally as a draft transmitting member movably connected by pivotpin 24 to a hanger bracket 25 welded to main frame 19. The rear ends ofspring beams 23 project rearwardly of axle 21 and support a pair ofheavy duty expandable air bellows 26,26 having their upper endsunderlying and secured to main frame 19.

The forward end of main frame 19 is supported on a fifth wheel dollyunit 30 having a rigid frame 31 underlying the forward end of frame 19and secured thereto through a fifth wheel 32 of suitable constructionhaving a vertical pivot axis substantially overlying the dolly axle. Thedolly frame 31 is connected to a pneumatically tired wheel 34 similarlyto rear wheel 20, namely, by a spring beam 35 and an air bellows spring36. Wheel 34 is journalled to an axle 37 having its opposite endsconnected to the overlying spring beam by a coupling 38.

Chassis section's 19,19 are movably coupled to one another in the mannerclearly illustrated in FIGS. 2-5. As there illustrated by way ofexample, the coupling means comprises a pair of powerful hinge leaves40,40 hinged together by a hinge pin 41 extending lengthwise of thevehicle and located close to the ground between wheels 20,34. The hingeleaves comprise suitable structural steel members flaring upwardly andoutwardly into rigid welded connections with the frames of therespective chassis sections. The location of the hinge leaves betweenthe front and rear wheels 34,20 distributes the load forces equitablybetween the opposite ends of main frame 19 and to each of the vehiclewheels.

The powerful clamping jaws 43,43 characterizing the invention vehiclehave their clamping surfaces lying in parallel vertical planes andpositioned to grip the opposite outer lateral faces of a load, such asthe web portion 45 of the girder 11 (FIGS. 3, 4). Jaws 43,43 are securedto the hinge leaves 40,40 by suitable connector members such as struts46 and the horizontally disposed stringermembers 47.

Pressurized air for use in inflating the air bellows or cushions 26,36is preferably stored in air tanks 50 mounted along either side of thechassis frame and rechargeable with air from a compressor from time totime as the supply needs replenishment. Each tank is connected with anadjacent one of the air bellows 26 or 36 by an air hose 51 under thecontrol of a manually operable valve, not shown. Also the operativelyassociated pairs of air bellows are cross connected by a flexible hose52 having multiple functions. For example, this connection permitsinflating the air cushions from either supply tank. Additionally, crossconnection 52 performs the important functions of equalizing thepressure between a pair of the bellows to accommodate irregularities inthe ground surface traversed by the vehicleand permits the chassissections to tilt toward and away from one another.

The operation of the described load clinching vehicle will be readilyunderstood from the foregoing description of its principalsub-assemblies and their operative relationship to one another. Whenvehicles are not in use a screw jack or the like extending crosswisebetween the forward ends of main frames 19,19 may be employed to holdthe clamping jaws 43,43 stabilized in a desired open position wideenough to receive the web of a girder 11. It will of course be evidentfrom FIGS. 3 and 4 that the carriage sections 18,18 are ends of the mainframes 19,19 to hold these frames spaced apart. While so positioned andwith all air bellows 26, 36 deflated to positions shown in FIGS. 2 and3, vehicles 10 are maneuvered until their respective jaw members areproperly positioned astride the opposite ends of girder 11. During thisoperation girder 11 is supported on spacer blocks 55 (FIG. 2) with itslower edge above the ground. Under these conditions the portion of thehinge leaves immediately to either side of hinge pin 41 underlie thelower edge of the girder and do not interfere with maneuvering thevehicles lengthwise of the girder end.

Once the vehicles are in proper position to engage the girder, controlvalves for air storage tanks 50 are opened admitting pressurized airinto the spring bellows 26,36. As these expand they cooperate in raisingthe vehicle frame upwardly carrying with it hinge leaves 40,40. Theremoval'of the jack between the outer ends of frame 19 as inflationstarts permits the chassis sections to pivot toward one another untiljaws 43,43 engage the web of the girder. Further release of pressurizedair into the air bellows forces the jaws into high pressure clampingaction against web 45 thereby picking up the girder and lifting it outof contact with blocks 55. When the load is in its elevated carryingposition the air springs are in the expanded condition shown in FIG. 4and tractors or trucks 13,14 can be used to move the girder and any loadsupported thereby to a new location.

While the load is in transit it will be recognized that it is supportedon a multiplicity of air cushions 26,36 and additionally by thepneumatic tires 20,34. The principal cushioning effect is provided bythe air bellows since the pressure in the latter is readily controlledby the inflating control valves to that pressure providing a soft ridefor the particular load being transported. Any irregularitiesencountered in the path of any wheel are readily compensated for by theair cushions and the cross connections 52 between associated pairs ofcush ions. In consequence the load can be moved with safety and withoutrisk of introducing torsional strains to which many structures are sosensitive. Furthermore, the air cushions serving to maintain theclinching jaws 43,43 in closed position are resiliently biased intocontact with the load by the cushioning action of the air springs.

Upon arrival at the destination, the load is readily detached from thevehicles without need for auxiliary equipment of any kind. Thus it ismerely necessary to place either permanent or temporary supports beneaththe underside of the girders. Thereafter it suffices to release air fromthe air spring 26,36 by venting valve means of any well known formthereby allowing the vehicle frames to settle until the load is incontact with the underlying supports. Continued deflation of the airsprings lowers the vehicle completely out of contact with the girders.Thereupon, vehicles 10,10 may be withdrawn from the opposite ends of thegirders and moved into position to pick up a new load in the manneralready described.

While the particular method for moving massive loads herein shown anddisclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects andproviding the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understoodthat it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention, and that no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction or design herein shown other than as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. That method of moving a long massive load sensitive to torsionalstrains over an irregular surface which comprises: introducing astridethe opposite ends of the load to be moved a pair of pneumatically tiredchassis units each equipped with load supporting frames mounted oninflatable air pillow suspension means located adjacent either lateralside of each end of said chassis units, inflating said air pillowsuspension means at each end of the load gradually thereby elevating theload clear of the former support therefor, maintaining said air pillowsuspension means sufficiently inflated to provide a soft cushion supportfor the particular load being moved, utilizing said inflated pillowsuspension means to minimize torsion stresses along the length of saidmassive load, and applying a draft force to the chassis unit at theleading end of said load adequate to move the load to its destination assaid air pillow suspension means isolate the load from groundirregularities, shock forces and torsional strains.

2. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of usingchassis units equipped with load supporting frams having portionsthereof hinged to one another along axes extending lengthwise of theload to be transported.

3. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of inflatingsaid air pillow suspension means from a supply of pressurized air storedon said chassis units.

4. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the step of utilizingchassis units having a single row of pneumatically tired wheels alongeither side of the load being moved.

5. That method of moving a long heavy concrete beam or the like alongthe ground while protecting the same against shock, torsional strainsand irregularities in the ground surface which comprises, inserting achassis unit equipped with pneumatically tired wheels and a multiplicityof air pillows beneath and astride the opposite ends of the beam whilesaid air pillows are deflated and which air pillows are located alongeither side of each chassis unit, gradually inflating said air pillowssufficiently to lift said beam and support all portions thereof clear ofthe ground over which the beam is to be moved while providing a softresilient support for said beam and minimizing torsional stresseslengthwise of the beam or the like being transported, and applyingpropelling forces to said chassis to move said beam to a new location assaid multiplicity of air pillows cooperate in absorbing shocks, groundirregularities and roadway conditions tending to set up torsionalstrains lengthwise of said beam.

6. That method defined in claim 5 characterized in the step of providingair flow passages interconnecting said air pillows and permitting air toflow from an air pillow subjected to an increasing load force thereon toan air pillow subjected to a decreasing load force thereby to isolatesaid beam from conditions tending to distort said beam.

7. That method defined in claim 6 characterized in the use of chassisunits having a single row of wheels aligned with one another alongeither side of said units and provided along either side of said rows ofwheels with a plurality of said air pillows interposed between said beamand said wheels.

8. That method defined in claim S-characterized in the step of equippingeach of said chassis units with at least one steerable wheel.

9. That method defined in claim 6 characterized in the step of utilizingchassis units having sub-frames interposed between said multiplicity ofair pillows and the adjacent end of said beam along the opposite sidesthereof and hingedly interconnected to one another between said rows ofwheels.

10. That method defined in claim 9 characterized in the step ofutilizing the weight of said beam as said air pillows are inflated tomove the sub-frames of the associated chassis into gripping contact withthe opposite lateral sides of said beam to stabilize the same whilebeing moved.

1. That method of moving a long massive load sensitive to torsionalstrains over an irregular surface which comprises: introducing astridethe opposite ends of the load to be moved a pair of pneumatically tiredchassis units each equipped with load suppoRting frames mounted oninflatable air pillow suspension means located adjacent either lateralside of each end of said chassis units, inflating said air pillowsuspension means at each end of the load gradually thereby elevating theload clear of the former support therefor, maintaining said air pillowsuspension means sufficiently inflated to provide a soft cushion supportfor the particular load being moved, utilizing said inflated pillowsuspension means to minimize torsion stresses along the length of saidmassive load, and applying a draft force to the chassis unit at theleading end of said load adequate to move the load to its destination assaid air pillow suspension means isolate the load from groundirregularities, shock forces and torsional strains.
 2. That methoddefined in claim 1 characterized in the step of using chassis unitsequipped with load supporting frames having portions thereof hinged toone another along axes extending lengthwise of the load to betransported.
 3. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the stepof inflating said air pillow suspension means from a supply ofpressurized air stored on said chassis units.
 4. That method defined inclaim 2 characterized in the step of utilizing chassis units having asingle row of pneumatically tired wheels along either side of the loadbeing moved.
 5. That method of moving a long heavy concrete beam or thelike along the ground while protecting the same against shock, torsionalstrains and irregularities in the ground surface which comprises,inserting a chassis unit equipped with pneumatically tired wheels and amultiplicity of air pillows beneath and astride the opposite ends of thebeam while said air pillows are deflated and which air pillows arelocated along either side of each chassis unit, gradually inflating saidair pillows sufficiently to lift said beam and support all portionsthereof clear of the ground over which the beam is to be moved whileproviding a soft resilient support for said beam and minimizingtorsional stresses lengthwise of the beam or the like being transported,and applying propelling forces to said chassis to move said beam to anew location as said multiplicity of air pillows cooperate in absorbingshocks, ground irregularities and roadway conditions tending to set uptorsional strains lengthwise of said beam.
 6. That method defined inclaim 5 characterized in the step of providing air flow passagesinterconnecting said air pillows and permitting air to flow from an airpillow subjected to an increasing load force thereon to an air pillowsubjected to a decreasing load force thereby to isolate said beam fromconditions tending to distort said beam.
 7. That method defined in claim6 characterized in the use of chassis units having a single row ofwheels aligned with one another along either side of said units andprovided along either side of said rows of wheels with a plurality ofsaid air pillows interposed between said beam and said wheels.
 8. Thatmethod defined in claim 5 characterized in the step of equipping each ofsaid chassis units with at least one steerable wheel.
 9. That methoddefined in claim 6 characterized in the step of utilizing chassis unitshaving sub-frames interposed between said multiplicity of air pillowsand the adjacent end of said beam along the opposite sides thereof andhingedly interconnected to one another between said rows of wheels. 10.That method defined in claim 9 characterized in the step of utilizingthe weight of said beam as said air pillows are inflated to move thesub-frames of the associated chassis into gripping contact with theopposite lateral sides of said beam to stabilize the same while beingmoved.